Nawaqanitawase to make Blues debut after McLean ruled out, Bostock called into camp

Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his Origin debut in game two at the MCG next week after NSW centre Casey McLean was ruled out after suffering an injury at training on Saturday morning.

With Nawaqanitawase promoted to the starting line-up, NSW have called Dolphins centre Jack Bostock into Blues camp to replace Nawaqanitawase on the bench.

McLean warmed up with the team in Gosford on Saturday before going down with a quadriceps strain about 15 minutes into the session.

Physios and trainers worked with McLean on the field as the rest of the squad trained, but the 20-year-old was officially ruled out an hour later.

The loss of McLean is a huge blow for NSW, after the Penrith centre played an important role in the Blues’ second-half comeback in game one after coming on as a replacement for a concussed Tolu Koula.

McLean was also recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the Panthers’ win over the Tigers on June 7, but was tracking and training well.

NSW manager Frank Ponissi said medicos thought McLean’s injury would sideline him for seven to 10 days.

“Unfortunately, Casey McLean has been ruled out of State of Origin game two. This morning during training early in the session, he strained a thigh to his right leg, which is the opposite side to his ankle,” Ponissi said.

“Our medical staff believes the ankle was fine, but obviously, he needed to train this morning to get through, so this has come totally as a shock and unexpected. He’s obviously very disappointed ... Our medical staff believe it’s a seven-10 day injury in terms of return to play, which obviously rules him out of Wednesday night’s game at the MCG.”

Nawaqanitawase now has his opportunity to make his impact in the Origin arena, with the former Wallaby named on the wing. Tolu Koula will move to centre, where he plays for club side Manly.

“Whilst we’re gutted that Casey won’t be playing, to have a player like Mark come into the team with what he’s done at NRL [level] and what he can do, he’s fitted in so well with the group this week,” Ponissi said.

Bostock played in the Dolphins’ 48-10 win over the Roosters on Friday night and has been instrumental in the team’s success this season. The Dolphins have won their last six matches and sat fourth on the ladder after Friday night’s victory.

Meanwhile, playmaker Mitchell Moses appears to be on track to start in game two, despite taking a back seat at training this week.

Moses was back training with the main group in Gosford on Saturday as he continues to recover from a hamstring tear.

NSW prop Mitch Barnett said he was confident the restricted lead-in wouldn’t inhibit Moses’ performance come Wednesday.

“He’s pretty straight up and down in terms of honesty, and he’s very confident he’s playing,” Barnett said.

“I think he’s running, he’s with us today. I don’t know ins and outs of it, but I don’t have a shadow of a doubt in my mind.”

Hooker Reece Robson said Moses’ wealth of experience with the Blues made it easier for him to slot back in, regardless of time on the training pitch.

“Obviously [we’ve] played a lot of footy with him in the past which helps that, you don’t need as much footy at all, really,” Robson said.

“And, to be fair, a lot of it just comes down to reps on the field, and we’ve all played a lot of games alongside Mitch, so I think he slots in pretty well.”

NSW are due to travel to Melbourne on Saturday afternoon ahead of game two of the series on Wednesday night.

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